SLK32 AMG vs S54 M Roadster

"newton" (newton) 03/15/2014 at 17:30 • Filed to: used cars

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! continues as I test drove two fairly special cars today. Originally I was looking for a decent example of the tried-and-true E46 M3, but it seems that owning one is nothing special as every enthusiast, guido and their enthusiast guido grandmothers own one. I also looked into a few E39 M5s and while I adore them, they don't exactly fit the bill as a weekend toy.

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In comes the M roadster. If the "clownshoe" S54 M coupe is too far beyond my budget and if E46 M3s are too commonplace, why not look into the next best thing, the M roadster? (As an aside, both the S52 M coupe and S54 M roadster are similarly priced. Which one would you rather have?)

It just so happens that I stumbled upon a dealer in the area that currently stock both an S54 M roady and its greatest competitor of the era, an SLK32 AMG, in their used car inventory.

The SLK32 AMG, while by default not a favorite of mine, is a rare and ultimate expression of the breakthrough original R170 SLK roadster. Only a little over 4,000 of these were built in total worldwide. This particular car, however, was coated in a beautiful and mesmerizing blue, which I would presume to make it one of wow there's not too many of those.

I took the SLK for a spin first. As if I had struck too much luck in that these two cars would be on the same dealer lot, the weather decided it would have none of it. I wasn't able to pop the top, but that wasn't a primary concern at the moment anyway. I wanted to feel this little Benz go.

And go it did not. Where's the endless bounds of AMG torque? What happened to the silky smooth freight train-like pull? Maybe the intercooler pump was busted (a common issue on these 3.2L AMGs), I don't know. Maybe my butt dyno just doesn't work in a Benz. It's too bad that the color is gorgeous.

While the M roadster isn't as rare or sought after as the M coupe, less than 2,000 examples of the S54 M roadster were built worldwide. This one also sported an OEM hardtop. I like the hardtop.

In a quick 10 minute warm-up, I realized the car was a bit weathered. The clutch was spongy, the shifter lacked preciseness, bits and pieces in the interior had scratches and bits and pieces were missing. Meh. Let's see how she runs.

I pulled onto the road, lightly squeezed the throttle and in return felt... almost no power. It felt more disappointing than the SLK. 2k rpms, nothing. 3k rpms, nothing. 3.5k rpms, well we're moving along at least. 4k rpms, wait, what? 4k-8k rpms wheeeeeeeee!!

Unfortunately, I had no place or the condition to get a feel for the way the cars handled. Though, the M roady is lighter than the SLK32 by roughly 150 lbs and bit more corner happy in typical Bavarian fashion. On paper, the S54 is rated at a detuned 315 hp. The 3.2L AMG is rated at 349 hp. How BMW managed to make their car that much more exciting I do not know.

But I think I know what I car I want next.

BadMotorScooter > newton 03/15/2014 at 18:55

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Sounds like the BMW is the better choice of those two. How about a nice low mileage S2000 for $15k?

newton > BadMotorScooter 03/15/2014 at 18:57

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I like S2000s, but I think they're slightly underpowered. I also strongly prefer cars of the European persuasion.